Apparatus for forming and preserving channels



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. C. NICHOLS.

APPARATUS FOR FURMING AND PRESERVING CHANNELS. I No. 585,116. PatentedJune 22,1897.

4 SheetsShe et 2.

(Nb Model.)

B. 0. NICHOLS. APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND PRESERVING CHANNELS. No.585,116.

Patented June 22, v189-7.

m: NORRIS 21915 :0, wmo-uma. wAsnmumm o. c

' (N0 Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

, E. G. NICHOLS. APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND PRESERVING CHANNELS. No.585,116. Patented June 22,1897.

xvi: cams PKTERS ca noYo-uma, wAsmNEYDN. o. c.

' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4. E. C. NICHOLS. APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND PRESERVINGGHANNELS.

(N10 Model.

No. 585,116. 'Patented June Z2 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

EDWVIN O. NICHOLS, OF TOPEKA, KANSAS.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND PRESERVING CHANNELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 585,116, dated June 22,1897.

I Application filed August 14:, 1896. Serial No. 602,809. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDwIN'O. NICHOLS, a citizen of the United States,residing at- T0- peka, in the county of Shawnee and State of Kansas,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus forForming and Preserving Channels; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification.

The invention has for its object, primarily, the removal of soil,debris, and the formation of channels permanent in character bysubmarine blasts of compressed air; and it consists in the novel meansand mode of procedure, hereinafter more fully described in detail, andspecifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the apparatus with therespective parts in operative positions and the, arched sluice removed.Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a longitudinalsectional view taken on the line w a: of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is alongitudinal sectional view taken on line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is afront end view of the apparatus. Fig. -6 is a transverse sectional viewtaken on line 2 z of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a side view of one of thechannel-pipes, show ing alternate means for changing the direction ofthe air-blasts. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the compressed-air-distributingchannelforming pipe-frame. Fig. 9 is a broken detail view in perspectiveof one of the longitudinal beams forming the hatchway, showing thecompressed-air-blast coffers in position for the blast, thechannel-forming pipeframe, the sluice-forming arched cover to the framepartially removed, the compressed-airconveying pipes connected with thepipeframe, and the frame elevating Windlass, showing the compressed airapplied and the material dislodged and rising with the compressed air.Fig. 10 is a detail View in perspective of one of the air-compressingcups. Fig. 11 is a sectional view of one of the hollow gear-wheels andthe axle and sleeve, also showing in section the hollow crank-pin andthe end of the connecting-pipe.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre-' sponding parts in all thefigures.

The apparatus consists in detail of a water carriage or barge A,(reference now being made to the drawings,) the top portion of whichcomprises a rectangular-shaped frame formed by the parallel side beams BB, the forward ends of which are connected by the transverse beam B andthe rear ends by the beam B Beneath the beam B is a hollow air-tightcylindrical case or receiver O, corresponding in length with said beam,and which, besides holding compressed air, sustains the frame above thesurface of the water. Said case 0 is connected with the under sideportion of the beam B, at suitable points on the said beam, by means'ofthe U-shaped braces c. Beneath the beam B is a case 0 for compressedair, precisely the same in construction as the case 0, and secured tothe beam B in the same manner.

To the under side portion of the beam B is attached a wall or side 0which extends from one end of said beam to the other and downwardly aconsiderable distance below said beamand upon the inner side of thecylinder 0. Upon the other side of the water-carriage is a side 0 whichis attached at the under side portion of the beam B and corresponds inlength and position to side c and extends downwardly the same describeddistance. Between the sides 0 c is the sluice 0 To afford room for thestorage-tanks on the water-carriage, a forward extension of the beam Bis provided by the beam 17, which is the same thickness as said beam Band extends a short distance in opposite directions from a point on saidbeam equidistant from beams B B. The beam 5 is supported at each ehdbythe bars b 5 extending from the under side portion of the beam B To oneof said bars 1) b at one end of the beam B is connected a brace-bar bthe other end of which bar extends at an angle to beam B and to theouter edge of said beam. The bar 19 is braced in the same manner as barI) and prevents the binding of the journal-bearings and shafts. At theother end of the water-carriage is an extension 17 of beam B rearwardly,which beam is comparatively short in length and supported in the samemanner as described of beam B At a point on beam B a little more thanone-third the described distance from the inner edge portion of beam 13to the inner edge portion of beam B, is connected rigidly one end of abeam I3 the other end of which beam is connected with the inner edgeportion of beam B At a point on the inner edge of beam 13 a little morethan one'third the described distance from the inner edge of beam B tothe inner edge of beam 13, is attached rigidly one end of a beam B theother end of which beam is connected with the inner edge portion of beamB at the same described distance from beam 13. Between the respectivebeams B B is a longitudinal opening; or hatchway for the channel-frame,hereinafter described.

On the inner side portion of the beam 13*, between the respective beamsB B are separate rearwardly-extended jogs or supports b 1). Upon supportb are journal-bearings (Z (1, arranged a short distance apart in atransverse direction to the water-carriage and elevated a suitableheight above the said support. In said journal-bearing is a hollow shaftI), comparatively short in length. Upon one end of shaft D is arigidly-connected hollow compressed-air-conveying gear-wheel D, whichextends below the level of the upper surface of the support 11 and inthe space between the beam B and the adjacent sides of the support If.I11 shaft D, within the hollow wheel D, are perforations or slots (1Upon the other end of shaft D is a hollow gear-wheel D which isprecisely the same as wheel D and extends below the level of the uppersurface of support If and upon the other side of said support.

Upon the outer side portion of wheel D near the periphery is a hollowcrank-wrist (1 which is also perforated or slotted at (Z In the shaft D,between the respective wheels D D are openings (Z at suitable distancesapart, in the direction of the circumference of said shaft. Upon saidshaft D is a sleeve extending over the openings (t and having a neck (1,extending from the side of said sleeve. To the neck of d is c011- nectcdone end of a pipe (i The ends of the sleeve (1 are smooth externally,and to each endis fitted, respectively, a flanged collar (Z betweenwhich flange on said collar and the end of the sleeve is a packing dCrank-wrist (Z within the wheel D is slotted at (1*. At the other end ofthe water-earriage on beam B between the beams B B areforwardly-extended supports I), which are the same in width and in linewith the respective supports b b on beam B Upon the support Z1 isjournaled in elevated journal-boxes the hollow gear-wheels E E which areconstructed and arranged upon a hollow shaft E in precisely the samemanner as wheels D D said shaft E also being provided with openings andaloosely-connected sleeve in the same manner as sleeve (1. Upon theouter side portion of each hollow wheel E E is a perforate or slottedcrankwrist 6. Upon the crank-wrist (Z on wheel D is journaled one endfof a horizontal pipe F, which is closed at both ends and also at apointf between the opposite ends. Said end f of pipe F is also flattenedin a slight degree and thus increased in width, and through which end isa transverse opening f which receives the perforate crank-wrist (Z 011the hollow wheel D. lhe outer end portion of the crank-wrist d isscrew-threaded at (Z and upon said end is fitted an internalscrew-threaded cap d", between which and the opening in pipe F is apacking d The other end f of pipe F is also flattened in a slight degreeand provided with a transverse opening and fitted upon the crank-wrist eon the wheel E, the outer end of said crankwrist bcin g screw-threadedand provided with a cap 6 fitted to said end of said crankwrist, and apacking between said cap and crank-wristin the same manner as describedof the crank-wrist (Z and d".

To the crank-wrists on the respective opposite hollow wheels D and E areconnected the respective opposite ends of a pipe F, which is constructedand arranged upon the said wheels in precisely the same manner as pipeF.

Upon the rearward extension I) of beam B is journaled a hollow shaft Dupon which are the hollow wheels D" D, and upon the forward extension I)of the beam 13* is journaled a hollow shaft which is the same as shaftE, upon which are the hollow wheels E E to which wheels D D E E" areconnected, respectively, by the pipes F F, said wheels and pipes beingconstructed and arranged upon the respective extensions in precisely thesame manner as described of the wheels D D E E and pipes F F. Upon theother side of the hatchway and between the respective beams 13 I3 areseparate rearward and forward extensions of the respective beams B 1:3upon which are journaled the wheels D D D D upon the extension of beamI5 and the wheels E F. E E upon the extension. of beam B, and whichwheels are connected with the pipes F F F F extending from those uponone extension with those upon the other extension of said beams, thedetails of construction being precisely the same as heretofore describedof the wheels D D E E and connecting-pipes F F.

Upon beam B and extending the entire length of said beam is a line-shaftG. Said shaft is journaled in the respective journalbearings g g at eachend, which bearings are elevated in position the corresponding height ofthe shaft D, carrying the wheels D D said shaft being arranged aconsiderable distance forward of the said shaft D and the shafts in linetherewith. Upon shaft G, opposite the hollow gear-wheel D, is a smallspur gear and opposite the respective wheels D D D D D 1) D D arespur-gears of the same proportions as gear Between the gear fland thehollow gearD and mounted at each end in the journal-bearings 71/ h onthe beam B is a shaft II, which is parallel with shaft G and extendsnearly to the hatchway in one direction and to a position in line withthe outer side portion of beam Bin the other direction on said shaft II.Between the spurgear g a'nd the wheel D is a gear H, (see Fig. 2,) whichis nearly twice the circumference of gear g and meshes with the saidgear and the hollow gear-Wheel D. On shaft H are other gears of the samecircumference as gear II and meshing with the hollow gears D D D andalso with the small gear on shaft G.

Upon the other side of the hatchway in line with shaft H is a separateshaft H upon which are gears of the same circumference as the gear II,which mesh with the gears D D D D and also with the gear on shaft G inthe same manner as gear II.

Upon the rear beam B is a line-shaft G,

parallel with shaft G, upon which are small gears which are the samecircumference as the gear 9 Between the wheels E 11 E E and line-shaft Gis a shaft of the same length as shaft H, upon which are gears of thesame circumference as gear H, which meshes with the gear on said shaftG.

Between the wheels E E E E and lineshaft G is a shaft which is the samelength as shaft H and pivoted with gear meshing with the gear on saidline-shaft and with said wheels.

In placing in gear with the line-shafts GG the series of hollowgear-wheels the crankshafts of the wheels D D E F are placed at thelowest point of depression, the crank-, wrists of wheels D D E E areplaced in position one quarter of the circle of rotation,-

and the crank-wrists on the wheels D D E E in a position to describe athird quarter of a circle, and the crank-wrists on the wheels D D 13 Eat a point of the highest elevation, thereby alternating the position ofeach pair of wheels in the series.

To the under side portion of the pipes F F in front of the closed pointf is'connected an inverted air-compressing cup I. Said cup is nearlyrectangular in shape, with vertical sides 2' t and ends 71 t its topportion 6 being nearly fiat. To the inner side portion of the pipe F, ashort distance from the wheels D D is connected by a pipe-joint one endof a pipe f the other end of which pipe is connected with the inner sideportion of pipe F. To the under side portion of the pipe F is connectedby a suitable joint one end of a short pipe or tube f, the other end ofwhich tube is inserted within the top portion of the cup I. In said tubeis a back-pressure checkvalve i tube f is connected a tube which is thesame I as check-valve 2' in tube f which is also inserted within the cupI and provided with a check-valve. In the top of the cup I are openingswhich are closed by the relief-valves 2' which are upon the inner sideof the top 1;.

Upon the front side of the cup I are forwardly-extended V-shaped wings twing i is made by extending the plates composing the ends formed a shortdistance beyond the-line of the front 2' of said cup, thence bent at anangle and connected with the said front plate 6, thus forming a.triangular projection. Upon each cup I I are also wings of the samedescription as the wings 73 The lower open ends of the cup I extendwithin sluice c to suitable distance to be withdrawn from the water.

In rear of the cup I is a cup I, arranged a short distance from saidcup, and in rear of cup I is a cup I each connected With pipes F F andall constructed precisely alike and connected with the said pipes atcorresponding distances one from the other. Upon the rear end of thehorizontal pipes F F, in rear of the point f is connected a compressed?air coffer K, which is constructed nearly the same as the inverted cupI, with the exception of the front wings, the valves, and valveopenings,there being neither on the coffer K.

The sides and ends of the coffer K extend ina downward direction aconsiderable distance below the line of the lower ends of the cups I I 1so as to reach material to be o'perated upon, or to the depth at whichthe channel is required to be preserved for the navigation of vesselsand outgoing tides, the lower end of the coffer K extending below theline of the bottom of the coffer K a short distance and the lower end ofthe coffer K a short distance below the level of the lower end of thecoffer K. Upon the said pipes F F are connected cups I I I and coffers KK K which are constructed in the same manner and arranged in series thesame distance apart as the cups I I I and coffers K K K on the pipes FF. Upon the horizontal pipes F F which are the same in construction aspipes F F, are cups I I I and compressedair-blast coffers K K K whichare constructed and arranged in position in precisely the same manner asthe coffers K on the pipes F F Upon the horizontal pipes F F areinverted cups and coffers constructed and arranged in position in thesame manner as the cups I I I and coffers K K K on the pipes F F.

In the apparatus so fardefined the series of inverted cups I I on eachpair of horizontal pipes are designed to compress air, while the seriesof coffers are designed'to do the Work upon the material by the actionof blasts of compressed air discharged within each coffer. For thepurpose of strengthening the pipes carrying the inverted cups I I I andcofiers K K K a truss frame N is connected with the pipe F, extendingthe length of said pipe, from which the rods n n extend downwardly tothe respective portions of the pipes; near each cup or coffen Each pipein the series of pipes is t-russed in the same man- The ner. The cupsare also laterally braced by rods 71.

Upon the beam B and upon the end portion of the extension 1), near thehollow wheels D D is a compressed-air tank L, and near the other end ofsaid extension is a compressed-air tank L. Upon the beam B arecompressed-air tanks L L located at either end of extension 1) of beam BUpon the forward beam B is a longitudinal compressed-air-conveying pipeM, arranged between the respective air-tanks L L and the gear on themain line-shaft G. One end of pipe M is connected with the pipe (1 onshaft D, and the other end of said pipe is connected with the pipe onthe shaft carrying the hollow gear D D on the other side of thewater-carriage. The branch pipes leading from the shaft-carrying gearI.) D D D are also connected with pipe M in the same manner as pipe d Tothe pipe M is also connected a branch pipe 112, which connects said pipewith the compressed-air tank L. A pipe m connects the pipe M with thetank L in the same manner, In the pipe m is a checkvalve Z. In pipe m isa checkwalve Z.

On the end of beam B in line with the beam 13, is a duplexair-compressor N, the piston-rod of which is connected by eccentrics 'nwith one end of the main line-shaft G. At the other end of the beam B isa duplex air-compressor N, the piston-rod of which is connected byeccentrics n with the other end of the main line-shaft G.

To the top of the tank L is connected one end of a pipe 0, the other endof said pipe being connected with the induction-opening to theair-compressor N. To the top of tank L is connected one end of a pipe 0the other end being connected with the induction-opening to theair-compressor N. (See Fig. 5.) To the induction-opening of theair-coinpressor N is connected one end of a pipe 0, the other end beingconnected with the compressed-air receiver O beneath the beam 13. To theednction-opening of the air-compressor N is connected one end of a pipe0 the other end being connected with the receiver C beneath beam B. Tothe tank L is connected one end of a pipe 0 the other end of which pipeis connected with the induction-opening to the air-compressor N.

On the beam 13 in line with beam 1-3 is an air-compressor N thepiston-rod of which is connected by an eccentric with the main lineshaftG. To the rear end of receiver O is connected one end of a pipe 0 theother end of which pipe is connected with the inductionopcnin g of theair-compressor N To the ednction-opening of the compressor N isconnected one end of a pipe 0 the other end of which pipe is connectedwith the compressedair tank L At the other end of the beam B is anair-compressor N which has a pipe connected with its induction-openingand receiver C, and a pipe connected with its induction-opening andreceiver 0, and a pipe connected with the ednction opening and tank L inthe same manner as described of the compressor N. To the tank L is c011-nected one end of a pipe M, the other end of which pipe is connectedwith the tank L To the hollow shaft carrying the hollow wheels E E isconnected a sleeve which is precisely the same as the sleeve (1 on shaftD, and to said sleeve is connected a pipe 1), which is connected withthe tank L and in which pipe is a cut-off valve 2). To the hollow shaftcarrying the gear-wheels E E is connected a pipe 17 in the same manneras described of pipe 1), which is connected with the pipe M and providedwith a cut-0E valve. A pipe 0 is connected with the hollow shaft of thewheels E E and with the pipe M, and a pipe 0 is connected with thehollow shaft carrying the wheels E E each pipe being provided with acut-off valve, as described of the pipes 19 p In the hatc'hway orlongitudinal open space between the respective beams 13 B and the endbeams B B is arranged a movable pipeframe or channel-mat R, which israised and lowered in position by elevators or horizontal Windlass S onthe beams B Said pipeframe is rectangular and consists of short lengthsof pipe 7" 0', connected together by two and four way pipejoints. On thesides of the frame the short sections are connected together by thetwo-way joints 1", and the end pipes are connected with the side pipesby similar joints 9'. Between the respective sides and ends of theframes the short section of pipes are laid in squares and detachablyconnected with each other for cleaning purposes by four-way pipe-jointsT the short sections extending toward the sides and end of the framebeing connected with the twoway pipe-joints r. The diameter of thesections of the pipe in the central portion of the frame R is decreased,the pipe fittings or joints being correspondingly decreased in size. Theunder side portion of each section of the pipe in the frame R isperforated, as at TX.

For the purpose of forming a submerged sluice over the frame R isextended a horizontal plate or cover T. To the outer edge of one of thesides of plate T is attached a downwardly-extended side plate 25. To theouter edge portion and opposite side of plate T is attached a side i,which extends in a downward direction the same distance as the side 25.

Upon beam B, and extending in a longitudinal direction of said beam, isa shaft U, which is journaled in suitable journal-bearings. At one endof shaft U is a bevel-gear u, and in the main line-shaft G is a slidingbevel-gear it, which meshes with the gear '16. The other end of shaft Uis provided with a bevel-gear 14 which meshes with a sliding bevel-geara on the main line-shaft G, which gear a is thrown in and out of gearwith gear a. On beam 13 is a longitudinal shaft U,

which is provided with bevel-gear at each end and engages withbevel-gear on the respective line-shafts G G inthe same manner as shaftU.

On the shaft U is. a small pulley a and on the Windlass S is aband-pulley u Over the pulley a is placed one end of a band or belt u,the other end of which belt is extended over the pulleyu and the twoends connected together in the usual manner. The other Windlass S on thebeam B is connected with the shaft U in the same manner as described ofthe pulleys a and it". To the frame R and one side of said frame isconnected one end of a rope a the other end of which rope is connectedwith and extends around the windlass S on beam To the other side offrame Ris connected one end of a rope its, the other end of which ropeis connected with and ex- .tends around the Windlass S on the beam 13.

- is inserted the lower end of the pipe 10.

one end of which pipe is connected with a stop-cock on the tank L andthe other end with one of the sections of the pipe-frame R at '0. (SeeFig. 4E.)

Beneath the beam B is a longitudinal stationarycompressed-air-conducting pipe WV, closed at its forward end, which issecured to the under side portion of said beam. To said pipe, at a pointopposite the position of the air-compressing cup K, when at its fulldepth in the water, is attached one end of a branch pipe w, the otherend of which pipe extends in a downward direction to a position adjacentto the lower'end of the inverted cup Z and the cotter K, and upon thelower end of said pipe is a pipe-joint having two upwardlyextended necksMIX 'w In one of said necks In the other opening or neck is inserted oneend of asmall pipe w, which is curved and the other end directed towardthe rear of the water-carriage A. The outer end of the pipe 10 istapering, as at 10 and has a jet-opening in the said end.

To the pipe Wis connected other downwardly-extended pipes at pointscorresponding to the several positions of the inverted cups and coffersand which are provided with curved jet-pipes, as described of the pipew. Beneath the beam B is a horizontal stationary pipe W, closed at oneend, from which extend downwardly the pipes or, each pipe having a jointprovided with necks and jetpipe, as described of the joint w To one ofthe stop-cocks on the tank L is connected one end of a flexible pipe Zthe edge portion of beam B and near the beam B is connected the upperend portions of separate bars :1 'y, the lower ends of which bars extendin a downward and rearwardly-inclined direction and are retained in astationary position by brace-rods connected with side 0 on said beam B.On the upper end and outer side portion are brackets M, in which arejournaled sprocket-wheels 1 Upon the lower ends of said bars arebrackets carrying sprocket-wheels 1 Over said Wheels g is extended oneend of a sprocket-chain g", which extends over the sprocket-wheel g andthe two ends connected together in the usual manner. To thesprocket-chain upon one bar y is attached one end of an excavatory scoopY, the other end of which scoop is attached to the sprocket-chain on thebar y. Upon the journal of one of the sprocket-wheels 3 is a pulley y,and upon the main line-shaft G is a pulley y". Over the pulley y isextended one end of a band 2/ the other end of which band is extendedover the pulley 1 on the shaft G and the two ends connected together inthe usual manner. Upon the other end of beam B near beam B, areexcavator-scoops Y, arranged in position upon bars and connected withthe line-shaft G in precisely the same manner as the scoop Y.

For the removal of sand-bars and other accretions in rivers, harbors,850., so as to obtain a channel navigable in depth, the watercarriage Ais so directed as to place the excavator-scoops Y Y in a position tooperate upon the material impeding a forward move ment of thewater-carriage.

The engine ,X on the rear beam B is set in motion and the powertransmitted to the lineshaft G, which in turn conveys power to thehollow gear E E E E E E E E and the horizontal pipes F F F F F F F F,which describe alternate reciprocating movements on the respectiveseries of inverted air-compressing cups, and the air-coffers arewithdrawn from and submerged in the water within certain intervals oftime and in succession dependent upon the speed of the engine, thelength of each coffer being sufficient to reach and dislodge thematerial to a depth suitable for channel purposes, beyond which theaction of the compressed air as one element upon the water and also thedisplacement of the material being effected by the process which will befurther considered.

It will be seen that the initial compressed air generated in the seriesof inverted air-cups passes through the forward portions of therespective pipes F F F F F F F F from pointf to the hollow wheels D D DD D D D D and through the branch pipes connected with the hollow shaftsand thence to the pipe M and through said pipe to each tank L L, theback pressure being checked by valves on the respective tanks. From thetanks L L the compressed air is admitted to the pipes 0 O and thence tothe air-compressorsNN,where the air is further compressed, and from saidair-compressors to the receivers O O beneath the side beams of thewater-carriage, and from the rear end of said receivers the compressedair is admitted to pipes o and thence to the air-compressorsN N andagain compressed and thence to the storage-tanks L L, in which aresuitable back-pressure check-valves. The compressed air in tanks L Lbeing thus available and the advance made bythe water-carriage havingdislodged the material on each side of the water-carriage and in thedirection of movement of the receivers O O and the material in the lineof work of the inverted cups having been dislodged by the cutting of thelower edges of the inverted cups upon the material and intermixed withthe water the next step is to loosen the material which momentarily is0011- fined within the area covered by one of the coffers.

I11 the rotation of the hollow wheels carrying the series of invertedcups and coffers, and during the interval in which one series of coffersis in the lowest position in the circle of rotation of the hollowwheels, the stop-cock on tank L to which is attached the pipe leading tothe hollow shaft upon which the coffers are located, is turned toliberate the compressed air, and the blast of compressed air isinstantaneouslytransmitted through the pipe, the hollow wheel, and thecrank-wrist to the pipe carrying the coffer and thence upon the waterwithin the coffer, the water is expelled from the coffer, and the forceof the air upon the water is communicated to the water and thence to thematerial underlying the water, and this disturbance causes the materialdischarged to rise at various lengths in the water, and should thestream have a rapid current the material will be carried away with thepower of the water.

\Vhere the outgoing tide is insufficient to carry away large masses ofmaterial thrown up by the action of the inverted cups and the coffers,through which the blast is made of compressed air, and the movement issluggish, the pipe-frame R is lowered in position and permitted to restupon the incipient channel, the cover over which, as the sides meet thebottom of the channel, extends a considerable height above the saidframe R and a submerged arched sluice is formed. During this movementand as the material rises above the level of the arched sluice, thestop-cock on the tank L to which is attached the pipe leading to thepipe \V, is opened and the compressed air is liberated through thejet-pipes a, and a blast of the compressed air is directed upon themixed water and debris at a point a short distance above the sluice, andthe material held in suspension is forcibly expelled toward the rear ofthe water-carriage. Thus it will be perceived that in the employment ofa number of the water-carriages an arched sluice may be formed of greatlength and the power of the apparatus correspondingly increased.

The stop-cock on the tank L with which the pipe leading to the frame Ris connected, is opened and the compressed air emitted in blasts uponthe material, which is swept through the sluice with the water, andbeyond the sluice the material rises in proportion to its gravity andwith the ascending currents of air. During the agitation and movement ofmaterial in the sluice the inverted cups and the coffers are in motionand cause the commingling of the material with the water and a rapidflow of the water from the bottom of the submerged sluice to the surfaceof the water.

In linear displacements in succession in harbors the work is effectivelyaugmented by a series of water-carriages with the apparatus, asheretofore described, in a single line and a short distance apart, inwhich arrangement a passage is forced through a saud-bar and the wholeunderlying debris set in motion, and while in suspension in the waterremoved a long distance and beyond the action of the incoming tides. Inswift-flowing water the cover T may be dispensed with, and the action ofthe compressed air directed through the frame R will cause eddies in thewater, and with the rising compressed air the material passes upward andis carried along with the stream.

lV henever the position of the water-carriage is changed, the slidinggear on the main lineshaft are thrown into engagement with the gear onthe shafts u u, and the frame R is elevated the proper height. The poweris then transmitted from the main line-shaft to the windlass and eachpart of the frame moved at equal degrees of speed.

Having fully described my invention, what I now claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An apparatus for forming channels consisting of a water-carriagehaving side floats, a compressed-air storage-tank, and an aircompressor,driving-shafts at each end of said carriage having cranks, acompressed-airblast coffer having a pipe connected therewith and saidstorage-tank, and a support for said coffer having one end thereofconnected with one of said cranks at one end of said carriage and alsowith the crank at the other end of said carriage, and means foroperating said driving-shafts substantially as shown and described.

2. An apparatus for forming channels consisting of a water-carriagehaving side floats, a cmpressed-air storage-tank and an aircompressor,driving-shafts at each end of said water-carriage having cranks andconnectingpipes having suitable crank connections connccted respectivelywith the cranks at one end and also with the cranks at the other end ofsaid water-carriage, a compressed-air-discharging coffer connected withsaid pipes on said cranks having opening in both pipe and cofferregistering with each other, a flexible supply-pipe connected with thestorage-tank for compressed air and the pipes to which. said coffers areconnected, and an engine operating said driving-shafts and saidair-compressor, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. An apparatus for forming channels comprising a source of compressedair and a perforate pipe-frame arranged beneath the water and upon thesurface of the material to be removed, an arched cover extending oversaid frame, a flexible pipe connected with the source of supply forcompressed air, and with one of the pipes in said pipe-frame,substantially as shown and described.

4. In a compressed-air apparatus for submarine air-blasting, awater-carriage having a sluice and suitable side compressed-airreceivers, compressed-air tanks at each end of said carriage, hollowwheels at each end of said water-carriage having hollow shafts and crankwrist-pins and openings in said shaft and pin communicating with saidwheel, power-conveying pipes having a closed portion between the ends ofeach pipe connected with the respective wrist-pins at each end of saidcarriage, and air-compressing cups on one portion of saidpower-conveying pipes having suitable connections for the compressed-airand back-pressure and relief valves and coffers on the other endportions of said pipes, air-compressors at each end of saidwater-carriage, means for operating said air-compressors and conductorsfor the compressed air connected with the air-compressors and the saidhollow shafts of said hollow wheels, and also with the saidair-receivers, and the said air-compressors and conductors of compressedair connected with the said air-tanks and said air-compressors,substantially as shown and described.

EDW'IN O. NICHOLS.

Witnesses:

THEO. F. ORNER, PAUL HUDSON.

